I am looking to replace my existing car and have been most impressed by the value for money/specification of the new Octavia particularly the Octavia Hatchback 5 Door 1.4 TSI Elegance DSG

However, as I'm totally new to VAG products I want to ask for the help of forum members. My 2 areas of inquiring are the 1.4 TSI unit and the DSG gearbox.

So I would appreciate any comments, good or other wise on these two items and should I be considering alternatives to these.

I would also like to know of any points to be aware of when placing an oder to ensure the best deal. I have already read of the saga on the folding door mirrors and wonder if there are any more like this to take into account.

Thanks in advance for any help and guidance.

Test drive the car would be the biggest recommendation. I am picking up my 1.4TSI on Monday, but the one I test drove convinced me to go with the 1.4 rather than the 1.8 that I had always hankered after. I'm coming from a 2.0 TDCI focus which has plenty of umph, but driving the 1.4 TSI it felt just as responsive for my driving style and was also comfortable when driving on motorways and the like. I've no idea what the DSG is like so can't comment.

Spec wise I would suggest adding multi-function steering wheel as that also gives you maxidot (onboard computer which allows you to change various settings on the car), "light assist" - basically auto headlights which are only £50 so you may as well have them(!), full size spare wheel (otherwise you only get a tyre repair kit) and ESP just to be on the safe side. The rest of the spec is pretty good I thought. Perhaps now the folding mirrors aren't standard you could also spec the memory seats, but for £500 you really need to want them.

Adding a full size spare wheel (£50) is probably the only must have addition. Other than that, maxidot is a popular upgrade (search here or ask the dealer for a demo).

For price, some dealers will match (or get very close to) the DriveTheDeal online price, so use that as a target price if you like to haggle.

The 1.4TSI engine has received some excellent reviews so it seems like a good entry level choice - not underpowered as some may fear. It is also said to be a good match for the DSG gearbox if you're after an auto.

But as GroundHog said, best advice is to get a good test drive and make up your own mind

Not sure on price difference but get the 1.8TSI just as frugal and less that can wrong. 1.4TSI has had it's fair share of problems.

Not sure on price difference but get the 1.8TSI just as frugal and less that can wrong. 1.4TSI has had it's fair share of problems.

Thanks to Zach, Phil and GroundHog your comments are appreciated and valued.

I would like to take up 1 point made by Zach re past troubles with the 1.4 TSI.

Can you give an indication of what the past problems were with this engine and why is there less to go wrong with the 1.8TSI.

From some one who is new to VAG engines I would have thought that these types were very similar except for capacity.

I am also concerned about the insurance rating on the larger engine.

Have all the past problems with the 1.4 TSI now been resolved?

Has any one got any more recent up date on the folding mirrors for the Elegance?

Are there any other indications the the Elegance is being down spec'd to save off a price increase?

I would still like to hear from other members who have experience with the DSG gearbox

I most certainly intend to study the options list carefully before placing an order and the recommendations received are most helpful.

Thank you all again

I've not heard about any issues for the 1.4TSI (not to say there aren't any though). There seems to be more concern here over the DSG gearboxes, mostly around the cost to fix should they go wrong out of warranty. Again, I'm not sure those concerns stem from any real issues, just the cost that might be incurred should something go wrong.

I most certainly intend to study the options list carefully before placing an order and the recommendations received are most helpful.

Indeed, it's always best to get your order right before it's placed as it's not easy changing (or adding) to it after it's been placed, and the waiting time on new orders is long enough

Thanks to Zach, Phil and GroundHog your comments are appreciated and valued.

I would like to take up 1 point made by Zach re past troubles with the 1.4 TSI.

Can you give an indication of what the past problems were with this engine and why is there less to go wrong with the 1.8TSI.

From some one who is new to VAG engines I would have thought that these types were very similar except for capacity.

I am also concerned about the insurance rating on the larger engine.

Have all the past problems with the 1.4 TSI now been resolved?

Has any one got any more recent up date on the folding mirrors for the Elegance?

Are there any other indications the the Elegance is being down spec'd to save off a price increase?

I would still like to hear from other members who have experience with the DSG gearbox

I most certainly intend to study the options list carefully before placing an order and the recommendations received are most helpful.

Mine is the 1.4TSi DSG and was one of the first into the UK since I picked it up last May. In my opinion the 1.4TSi married up to the 7 speed DSG transmission is a terrific match. The engine has plenty of torque in both low and mid range revs, its frugal, refined and has low emissions - what more could you ask for.

The 1.8 TSi is closely related but is less economical with higher emissions but obviously it wins on the performance front but not by as much as you would believe, at least in the real world. Test drive both to see which one suits you the best.

The question I ask is why VW with the Golf chose to use the 1.4 TSi's in both 122ps and twincharger 160ps form and not the 1.8TSi ?

It must be based on mpg and emissions. I'm not aware of any problems with the 122ps version but I believe the twincharger version has had a few.

I have on order at the moment a 1.8TSI Elegance DSG.....i test drove both a 1.4 and 1.8 and found the 1.4 a little weak to be honest. It was fine on the flat but struggled getting much power up steep hills and I imagine it would be too weak for a car full of 5 adults and a full boot.

It depends what your demands and expectations are, i currently drive a 2.2 TDCI Mondeo that have no lack or torque, the 1.8 is a quicker car but the 1.4 was no match.

Hope this helps!

PS I have a mate who has a Golf DSG and the gearbox has now done 123000 miles with no trouble. Things can go wrong but can't everything?

Edited 26 February, 201016 yr by OCScene

I've got the 1,8TSi with DSG, just under 1k on the clock now & I love it, although the one thing I wish I'd ordered with it is the flappy paddles as I feel that at times it can lag a bit when you need to move quickly for an overtaking manoeuvre & you need to make it bit quickly, however for everyday driving it's a dream a real peach of an engine, the 1,4 wasn't an option for me as I didn't think it would have enough oomph for the size & weight of the car, especially if I take family to the WoE with all of those steep hills in Exmoor!

Hi

I drive a 1.8tsi DSG Elegance, but test drove a 1.4tsi shortly before making my decision as initially you couldn't get 1.8 and DSG in Elegance spec.

The 7 speed DSG is pretty much as good as you'll have heard it is: smooth with barely perceptible changes most of the time.The only small criticism I would make is a momentary lag while the DSG drops a few gears if you suddenly accelerate hard in say 6th or 7th.

In terms of power tI find the 1.8tsi probably has more power than most peple regularly need, or indeed can use, given the congestion on UK roads most of the time, and in retrospect I think the 1.4tsi might have been as good a choice for me as it had more than sufficient power when needed. In fact it drove very much like the 1.8 ie wide power band from low down in the range, not disimilar to a diesel but with more responsiveness perhaps in the higher rev ranges.

This,combined with the excellent torque also available in a wide band means acceleration is easy, with powe available where you need it, which is why the VW tsi engines tend to perform better than their bhp figures alne might suggest.

By the way, I test drove the 1.4tsi in estate form with 4 adults and a child on boad and it never seemed wanting for pull.

In terms of additional specthe Elegance doesn't lack much. The DSG has ESP as standard so from a safety point of view you only have to consider the curtain airbags., and Xenon headlights, though personally I think the latter are expensive. I think a full size spare wheel is also a sensible and cheap choice.

Depending on how you use the car a multi function steering wheel could be handy too.

Automatic gearboxes are great until they go wrong , then they can cost arm , leg, lung , kidney , ---

Like every mechanical thing it can & will eventually go wrong, I was a bit nervy about choosing the DSG 'box after some of the reports about them in the US, but I'm glad I did it takes the pressure off my dodgy left leg.

As I've stated in other posts the only problem I've had with it is in the snow & I suspect that may have been down to the tyres rather than the 'box & as it stands at the moment if I was offered another car with DSG or Manual 'box on it, I'd still choose the DSG, the only thing I'd probably go back to is the diesel engine for economy reasons & only filling up once every 42-45 days, instead of monthly.

& only filling up once every 42-45 days, instead of monthly.

Oh, I wish... I normally fill my diesel up every 3 or 4 days... sometimes more frequently than that...